Match Preview and Lineups: Tottenham v Wycombe

Tottenham welcome Wycombe Wanderers to White Hart Lane Saturday in a match that should ensure the host’s progress to the next round.

The operative word there is should. While it is significantly unlikely Tottenham get upset by the League Two side, stranger results do happen every season.

A determined Wycombe resistance might simply hope to force a replay. Liverpool struggled to a 0-0 draw against another League Two side, Plymouth Argyle, in the last round of the FA Cup. They would eventually best Plymouth in the replay, but then again faltered against Wolves in the early game on Saturday.

Tottenham have plenty of reasons to be confident in their chances. Not only are the team buoyed by a sustained unbeaten run, but even Mauricio Pochettino’s B team is capable of causing issues to a side like Wycombe. Check out our lineup predictor for more details there.

How those rotated players might change the look of this Tottenham side is maybe one of the best reasons to watch this match. See how we guessed those changes might work out here.

Pochettino is gearing up for a cautious game. He will rest three players dealing with minor injuries, but admits that Wycombe will be especially determined to make the most of their trip to north London.

And it turns out that, instead of experimenting, Pochettino has returned to tried and true ways. This looks like a 4-2-3-1 formation that’s not dissimilar to the shape Tottenham used for the bulk of last season.

Really, with both Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen unavailable, a return to two centre-backs makes sense. Wycombe won’t require the advantages bestowed by the three-at-the-back formation used of late.

Kieran Trippier will provide width on the right, but Ben Davies is given an assist on his flank. France under 21 winger Georges-Kévin Nkoudou earns his first start for Spurs since arriving from Olympique de Marseille in the summer.

His cameos of the bench have been promising, and now Tottenham fans get a chance to see how Nkoudou handles a full start.

Alongside him Josh Onomah and Moussa Sissoko will add what they can to the attack. Heung-min Son was supposed to be apart of that attacking midfield, but instead comes in here at striker.

Next: Extended Preview: Tottenham v Wycombe

That’s a dispiriting setback for Vincent Janssen, who starts here on the bench. Perhaps the Dutchman is still struggling with a lingering injury and simply isn’t fit for a full start.

Check back here after the match for a full report.